A neighborhood leader has broached the idea of using flagmen in the CSX freight yard to cut down on overnight noise there, caused in large part by trains having to sound their horns while passing through the yard.

While that might be viewed as a quieter alternative for its neighbors, CSX does not feel it would be practical, given the size and scope of its freight yard operations here.

He offered it as an alternative to what is now going on at the CSX yard. Several residents of the Atlanta Street and Lake Avenue areas have complained about train horns being sounded during late night and early morning hours.

CSX began using flagmen in the town of Spencer in 2007 after residents there complained about railroad-related noise, including the frequent blaring of train horns and whistles all hours of the night as they passed the New England Automotive gateway near the East Brookfield line.

The railroad subsequently replaced the use of horns and whistles at night to warn workers on the track of oncoming trains at that location with a system that uses a flagman and radio system.

Soon after that system was implemented, noise-related complaints about CSX trains from town officials and residents declined.

Mr. Ciuffredo asked why a similar system could not be put into place at the Worcester CSX yard, which is between Shrewsbury and Franklin streets.

Robert T. Sullivan, director of media relations for CSX, said the railroad is aware of the concerns expressed by residents in the Lake Avenue area and has spoken with them and with local officials.

He said CSX changed its operations last fall to enable it to serve the local freight customers while not interfering with commuter rail service.

However, after the concerns were raised by neighborhood residents, CSX adjusted its operations to serve the customers in the immediate Worcester area earlier in the evening, he said.

“The horns are sounded for a variety of reasons, all in compliance with the (federal) regulations,” Mr. Sullivan said. “The question of flagmen has been discussed, and determined not to be an appropriate answer (in Worcester). However, we will continue to review the operation and stay in contact with the community and local officials in an effort to be a good neighbor.”

A neighborhood meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Roosevelt School to discuss issues associated with the CSX freight yard.

At Wednesday night’s Planning Board meeting, Robert E. Longden Jr., a local lawyer representing CSX, said federal regulations require trains to blow their horns when entering the freight yard and when passing another train. The purpose is to warn workers who might be on the tracks. The horn is also sounded if there is a safety hazard, such as something on the tracks.

Mr. Longden said a review was done in response to noise complaints from the Lake Avenue area, and it was found that the times when the train horns were sounded and the decibel levels from those horns did not exceed federal regulations.

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